ICC World Cup 2015: David Miller and JP Duminy break 5th-wicket ODI partnership record

David Miller and JP Duminy during their record-breaking stand

Playing in the World Cup for the first time on Sunday, David Miller made his way into the history books. He scored an unbeaten 138 to propel the South African total to 339/4 after they found themselves in trouble early on in the match against Zimbabwe.

Miller was well supported by fellow team-mate JP Duminy (115*) who hit his 3rd ton in ODIs. The duo went on to put on 256 runs, which is now a record for the highest 5^th wicket partnership ever in ODIs. The previous record was held by Ravi Bopara and Eoin Morgan of England.

Some of Miller’s feats during his innings included:

• The world record for the highest score in a World Cup innings by a number 5 batsman
• The record for hitting the most number of sixes in an innings in a World Cup match. Miller slammed 9 maximums, bettering the previous record held by greats Ricky Ponting and Adam Gilchrist (8 sixes).
• Only the second South African after Gary Kirsten (188*) to score a hundred on World Cup debut.

Zimbabwe bowled well in the first 30 overs of the innings, maintaining a tight line and length, giving nothing away to the South African batsmen. But then Miller, along with Duminy, came to the rescue of the Proteas and took the game to Zimbabwe.

The Zimbabweans conceded 96 runs in the last 5 overs, with 30 coming off the last over bowled by Solomon Mire. It’ll come as no surprise to anyone that Miller was the one who did all the damage in the final over.